Is It Wrong to Explore the Dungeon Even Though I’m Overpowered? (Danmachi SI- WC) (Patreon)

Chapter 5: Inevitable Meetings

“Whoa~ This is so cool~” Hestia exclaimed happily as she played around with her new Shroud making it turn into various shapes and sizes.

“I know right? With it you never have to worry about changing clothes again as the Shroud will just absorb any outfit you feed it to and copy it.” Artemis gushed agreeing with Hestia and demonstrating what she meant by changing into another casual outfit.

“It also serves pretty well as a weapon.” Rethusa said next having her Shroud transform into a small blade and into a bow after that.

“Fufufu it’s even useful as extra hands too.” Lante added having one of the tendrils of the shroud pick up her sword from across the room.

“Umm I hate to interrupt but I was wondering…” I raised my hand nervously grabbing their attention.

“What is it Rein-kun?” Hestia asked me with a big smile on her face showing that she was not annoyed thankfully.

“Well, if I’m to keep my skills hidden, I was wondering if there was a way to lock my status so nobody actually takes a peek at them?” I asked knowing this was possible and wanting to keep my abilities hidden at least until I was a level 3.

With my ridiculous growth potential, I don’t think it would take more than 2 months for me to reach that goal if even that.

“I can do that?” Hestia asked with a surprised tone.

“Oh, I heard about that! Yes, it is possible but unfortunately I never bothered to learn how.” Artemis said giving me an apologetic look.

“Don’t worry, I’ll ask Hephaistos first thing tomorrow. Until then please be careful and don’t show your skills to anyone.” Hestia continued coming up with a plan.

“Hephaistos huh? Yeah, I don’t see a problem with that she’s trustworthy.” Artemis nodded in agreement.

“No problem and thank you.” I smiled at them in thanks. “By the way Hestia-sama, Artemis-sama I have one last secret to share that hopefully everyone will enjoy.”

“Huhuhu I have a feeling your about to shock us with something impossible again but okay.” Artemis giggled amusingly with a nod of her head.

Seeing everyone agree, I walked to the nearest wall where I felt the door was in and pulled it open showing the inside of a room just beyond it.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“Yep, called it.” Artemis muttered quietly blinking repeatedly at the rift in space.

“Umm Reinhard-sama? What is that?” Lante asked quietly as if not fully believing what she was seeing.

Scratching the back of my head in a bashful manner I responded not knowing how they would react. “It’s a portal leading to my home, a home that’s located in a different dimension accessible only to those that I share a connection with.”

“Haah of course it is?” Hestia said in a deadpan that disappeared a second later as a giddy smile replaced it. “Wait! Does that mean that we now have our very own private home that only we can access?” Hestia asked turning to me with her eyes sparkling.

Seeing that everyone was looking at me I nodded my head confirming her words. “That’s correct. It also comes with a fully stocked kitchen that restocks itself automatically every few days.”

“Woohooo~ My days of going hungry are over! You’re the best Rein-kun~” Hestia cheered happily before running towards the portal and disappearing a second later.

“Well, at least we now have somewhere to stay.” Artemis said with a shake of her head before turning my direction and offering me a smile. “Thanks Rein. Thanks to you we no longer have to search for a place to live since this place is too small for all of us.”

“You’re welcome, Artemis-sama. Please feel free to think of it as your home now too.” I said without thinking causing Artemis to widen her eyes and for a blush to cover her whole face.

“Fufufu already sharing your home huh? You sure are bold Reinhard-sama~” Lante teased with a small blush visible on her cheeks too.

“I…I didn-I mean!” At a loss for words, I opened my mouth trying to clarify myself only for my mouth to betray me in the end.

“I-It’s okay Rein I understand what you were trying to say and I appreciate it.” Artemis muttered saving me from further embarrassment though the goddess was now looking away from me preventing me from seeing her face.

“Ahem, anyways why don’t you girls explore the house while I go and register at the Guild? Now that you know the portal is there, you should be able to instinctually know where it is and how to open it.” I offered wanting to get away for a bit and get some air.

“Are you sure you want to go alone Rein? I could have either Lante or Rethusa accompany you.” Artemis asked finally turning my way again showing that her blush had mostly disappeared by now.

“I wouldn’t mind accompanying you Reinhard-sama.” Rethusa said with a nod.

“Me neither.” Lante said next.

“No,” I shook my head. “Please just relax and explore to your hearts content. You can also pick out your rooms if you want. Besides it shouldn’t take me more than an hour to register at the Guild and come back.”

“Haah very well. I can see that you’ve made up your mind so we’ll take you on your offer.” Artemis relented with a sigh before walking up to me and standing on her toes before giving me a small kiss on the cheek.

Widening my eyes in surprise I looked down at the goddess as she quickly backed up and faced away from me before walking towards the portal in rapid steps stopping at the entrance for a moment.

“T-Take care alright and come back soon.” With those final words Artemis disappeared leaving me alone with Lante and Rethusa.

‘T-That was my first kiss.’ I thought in embarrassment bringing my hand up to my cheek and holding it gently.

“Fufufu, you’re seriously too much Reinhard-sama~ I bet you’ll have an army of girls after your heart within the month.”

Lante’s amused giggles interrupted my thoughts and turning to face her I blinked at seeing that she had managed to get so close to me without my notice. ‘My instincts probably didn’t warn me due to the Shroud.’

“It seems we got ourselves an interesting Master.” Rethusa said next walking forward and standing next to Lante.

“I see.” I muttered immediately catching on to what she meant. “So, you two do know your not the originals then I’m guessing?”

“Of course, we do.” Lante nodded her head with her smile turning soft. “Thank you for not revealing the truth to Artemis-sama. Even though we might not be the originals, we still hold the same thoughts and feelings as them and we don’t want Artemis-sama to be sad.”

“Thank you Master.” Rethusa bowed her head at me in thanks.

“If you want to thank me, can you please just call me by my name? I don’t believe I’m anyone special really, just incredibly lucky.” I requested still uncomfortable at being addressed that way due to both of my pasts.

“Not anyone special huh?” Lante muttered with a smile while shaking of her head. “Please don’t let Artemis-sama catch you saying that. It will make her sad.”

“I agree. Please be considerate of her feelings. To Artemis-sama, there could be no one more special than you.” Rethusa continued explaining more clearly for me.

“…Right.” Embarrassed at what they meant with those words I could do nothing but agree. “A-Anyways I should really get going to the Guild now.”

“Have fun Rein~” / Take care.”

With those final words I picked up Est again and sheathed her around my waist before sending Reid to my Item Box that I had gotten from Yuuya’s template and made my way out of the church.

On the way to the Guild a sudden thought suddenly struck me. Hestia was not wearing the ribbons with silver bells that she never seemed to take off in the anime.

‘I should probably search for those after my business with the Guild is over.’ I thought with a nod while walking on auto pilot in the direction of the Guild. ‘And a present for Artemis too now that I think about it. A silver crescent moon necklace perhaps? Or would that be too cheesy?’

A few minutes later my feet finally carried me to the front of the Guild and I headed inside with my eyes peeled searching for an employee. It didn’t take me long to spot Eina and Misha but unfortunately, they seemed to be busy with someone at the moment.

A moment later I spotted someone with red hair somewhat similar to my own that had just finished helping someone and currently had no line waiting for her.

‘I think her name is Rose Fannett if I’m remembering correctly.’ I thought heading to the redheaded werewolf with yellow eyes.

I didn’t even bat an eyelash when I saw the beautiful redhead let out a sigh and stopped in front of her with a smile on my face.

“What can I do for you today?” Rose asked with a small frown on her face not able to hide the tiny blush on her cheeks making her look very cute in my eyes.

Resisting the sudden urge to rub her ears, I told her what I came here for. “I wanted to register as a newly formed Familia.”

“Right, please fill out these forms and then have your God or Goddess finish the rest and return them whenever you’re finished.” Rose handed me a stack of papers, handed me a pen and showed me where I and Hestia had to sign.

‘Thank goodness for Yuuya’s Language Comprehension skill.’ The skill allowed me the understanding to read and write in any language.

Without much care I signed my name where it was needed and filled out some basic information about our Familia. When I finished, the werewolf took some of the papers from the stack and looked them over.

“Hestia Familia, and you’re the only member currently?” I nodded to her question and she continued. “Everything seems to be in order, will you be needing a dungeon advisor or any equipment from the Guild?” Her eyes were focused on mine throughout our conversation and I could spot a little loneliness and sadness reflected in them.

“Yes please, any help would be welcomed! As for equipment I would only need some light armor as I already have a weapon. Are you going to be my advisor Miss?” I nodded with a smile, resting my hand on Est’s pommel when I mentioned I didn’t need a weapon.

Rose seemed a little pleased at my agreement to an advisor and only nodded to my request for armor and wrote something down. At my last question she suddenly paused in indecision before focusing all her attention on me and stared deeply into my eyes.

I stared back calmy while she searched my gaze for something before seemingly coming to a decision and nodding her head.

“I will be your advisor but only if you listen to everything I have to say about the dungeon and take this seriously. I don’t want to become a murderer by sending you out only for you to die in the upper floors because you didn’t listen to me.” Rose looked at me seriously.

“Of course, Miss. You have my word that I will listen to everything you have to say and I won’t try to tackle anything I can’t handle.” I said putting my hand over my chest and giving Rose a small bow.

“…I-I suppose if I’m to be your advisor you can’t keel calling me Miss all the time. I’m Rose Fannett, please call me Rose.” The werewolf introduced herself with a small stutter at the beginning.

“A pleasure to meet you Rose.” I smiled at her causing the redhead to slightly look away from me. “My name is Reinhard van Astrea. I’ll be under your care from now on.”

Looking me in the eyes again Rose raised an eyebrow at me in curiosity. “Astrea?”

“Ah, you’re probably wondering if I have any relation to Astraea-sama.” I blinked catching on to why she looked curious. “I assure you that is not the case. Just a similar name is all.”

“I see.” Rose muttered seeming satisfied with my answer.

“Rose is it okay if I pick up my armor tomorrow? I don’t plan to head into the dungeon today and will use my time to buy other essentials before heading in. This way I can also return the paperwork that my Goddess needs to complete.”

“I’m glad to see you have a good head on your shoulders. Many adventurers die early deaths due to not taking the dungeon seriously and going in unprepared. I will await your visit tomorrow morning upon daybreak for your first lesson before you enter the dungeon. Please don’t be late!” Rose said looking at me sternly.

“Of course.” I agreed immediately.

With our conversation over I thanked her again before heading for the exit when I thought I heard her mumble something under her breath at me but was too low to hear.

With my task done and with plenty of time to spare before I had to be back, I decided to see if I could find Hestia’s iconic ribbons and a present for Artemis.

“Reinhard, I want to walk next to you. Can I?”

I suddenly heard the voice of Est telepathically call out to me in question.

“Of course, Est. Let me just find a back alleyway real quick.” I was quick to respond and headed to the nearest alleyway.

When the coast was clear, Est appeared again and immediately grabbed ahold of my hand.

“Now that I think about it. Est, would you like a sheath?” I asked my cute spirit as I took the lead with Est falling into step with me.

“No, no sheath.” Est shook her head quickly rejecting my offer. “I would prefer just walking with Reinhard when we’re not in a battle.”

“Alright Est. If that’s what you wish then I will keep that in mind.” I then remembered that I had completely forgotten to introduce Est to Hestia earlier and apologized. “I’m sorry for earlier by the way. I forgot to introduce you to Hestia-sama. Please forgive me.”

“Don’t worry.” Est being the angel that she was patted my arm gently. “I was actually asleep until a few minutes ago so you're forgiven.”

“Thank goodness.”

Not really paying attention to where we were walking, I suddenly sensed a presence in front of us and came to a sudden stop pulling Est in for a hug to make sure she didn’t trip.

“Are you alright Est?” I asked looking down at my spirit in worry letting out a sigh of relief when I saw her nod her head.

Then looking up I spotted the person I had almost run into just managing not to blink in shock at who was in front of us.

There stood two girls dressed in a green uniform with white aprons. The first was a beautiful girl with bluish gray hair tied in a small ponytail with the same-colored eyes. And the other was also a beautiful girl, or elf in this case with sky blue eyes and short green hair. The both of them were currently carrying bags full of groceries no doubt out for an errand for Mia.

‘Damn, I wasn’t planning on running into her this soon.’ I thought in slight worry referring to the gray-haired girl who was none other than the most troublesome person in this world.

I’m talking of course about Freya, who was currently masquerading as Syr Flova, a regular waitress at the Hostess of Fertility.

‘Oh, well. At least I had the foresight to lower my defenses allowing Freya to get a proper reading instead of coming up blank as that would be more suspicious.’

My inner dialogue happened in an instant thankfully so I didn’t end up giving myself away to the two girls now looking at us curiously.

“My apologies.” I immediately said offering the two a small bow. “I wasn’t looking where I was going and almost ran into you.”

Est to my side just remained silent, just observing the girls blankly. Or at least that’s what it would look to a normal observer, when the truth was my cute Est had her eyes lasered focused on the gray-haired girl after sensing my unease.

“Please don’t worry. There is nothing to apologize for.” Ryuu softly dismissed my concerns with a shake of her head. “We are partly to blame as well for the same reason.”

‘Wow, she is much more beautiful than the anime portrayed her.’ I though in surprise my mind immediately thinking of a fairy.

Smiling in thanks at the girl I turned to ‘Syr’ with slight trepidation and saw as the disguised Freya’s eyes seemed to be honed in on me with wide eyes not saying a word.

‘Yep, she is totally seeing my soul right now.’ I thought in slight worry before a thought entered my mind. ‘Hmm, I wonder how it looks like?’